The Office

So one of my little cheats on the 30 before 30 was watching the remainder of the Office that I have put off.  This was Michael's last epsiode, and the entire last season.  I finished last night.  And I, as expected, was bawling. I watched Michael's last one and the finale back to back... too much emotion!

 

I loved this show: through its ups and downs, awkward moments to sweet moments.  It was real.  Maybe not all the story lines were real but the people and their sturggles.  The emotions and the fears.   I loved the Pam and Jim story in its entirety.  I love the way Michael was ridiculous and Dwight was horrible but they were a family. The last episode was amazing.  I really apprecaite how the creators ended it with a wrap up. 

 

I leave you with Pam's advice. 

 

 

Oliver

So I have about 100 things I could blog about but the most recent thing to talk about it: I got a cat!  Last Saturday, I got a cat at the same place my brother and SIL got their cat, Snoop.  I had been preparing for some time.  I had all the necessary items waiting at home.  I just needed to find the right one.

I had gone to Petco a couple times near my parents' house and almost got a little gray kitty.  But the logistics made it feel like it might not have been the best timing.  So I waiting until after Thanksgiving and for a weekend, so I could be around for the cat to help both of us adjust. 

So I went to PAWS and talked to the people that work there.  They mentioned due to my work schedule, a kitten might not be the best idea.  It wouldn't have been fair to a little kitty.  So I went into a couple rooms and hung out with some cats.  I thought I had a girl cat picked out.  She was gray and beautiful.  However, she made it clear that she changed her mind with a little hiss at me.  But during this, a little orange cat kept coming up to me.  So I interacted a little bit with the cat named Elliot.  I decided he was the one.  So I adopted Elliot. 

However, I changed his name.  I will keep Elliot as a middle name because I can't just forget the name he came with and it is the name of the bay at the Seattle Waterfront (Elliot Bay).  So I decided to go with the name I wanted with Elliot as the middle name.  So meet Oliver Elliot.  (Oliver is from the Disney movie I grew up with, Oliver and Company, and after Olive, a teddy bear given to me by my two "little sisters.")

 

Oliver's first hiding spot was right behind some of my favorite books... clearly he was prefect for me!  He still loves hiding here. Ignore the scary eyes.  Flashes and cat eyes don't get along.

 

Napping and cuddling with me on the couch on our second day together. 

 

 

Oliver and his namesake, both with their new collar and tags.

Oliver kind of got in the way of my wrapping.  He was "helping."

I have a little residual fear from a previous cat my family had that wasn't very nice but we are working together.  He is pretty self sufficient.  He seems to sleep anytime I am gone.  He likes to cuddle, but in his own time.  He LOVES being brushed, which is good since he sheds quite a bit.  He likes to talk to me.  But overall, I am pretty happy with my little guy.  It is nice to have someone to come home to and someone to watch a movie with.  Hopefully this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Single Life

Warning: this is a ranting post.

I have a pet peeve.  It isn’t something I experience every day but I experience far too much and it is extremely frustrating.  So I give the general public some advice: stop asking the obvious questions. 

What do I mean?  If someone doesn’t have a job, don’t keep asking when they will get a job.  If someone is single, don’t ask when they are going to get married.  And if someone doesn’t have kids, don’t ask when they are going to have kids.  Trust that if it is happening, someone will share.  

The one I am dealing with is the marriage question.  Apparently, it is expected that at 27 years old, I am suppose to be married or on that path more than I am currently.  Let me tell you something: it isn’t just a decision I can make.  It isn’t a switch I can flip and have happen.  It takes time and a working relationship- two things I don’t have very well figured out.  If I were ready to get married, I would be engaged.  Stop asking me.  All it does is make me feel like I am missing something.  It makes me feel as if something is wrong with me.  It makes me feel like I am doing something wrong with my life.

What if… just what if… I am not meant to be married?  All your asking does is make me feel like that isn’t okay.  Plenty of people never get married.  And, if I do get married someday, what does the asking do for you or me right now?

I would like to someday get married, if God has that in His plan for me.  I do wanted children someday.  However, asking me and making me feel bad about not being married or even near getting married isn’t getting me any closer.  You are not helping.  In fact, you are hurting.  So stop.  Just trust that if it happens and you are supposed to know, you will. 

Dick Van Dyke: My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business

Book Title:Dick Van Dyke: My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business (A Memoir)

Author: Dick Van Dyke

So I was at the Bellevue library with my dad.  He was looking up something related to his genealogy research.  I wandered around and found this sitting on the table.  I love Dick Van Dyke.  I have a lot of respect for him.  So I picked up the book and decided to read it. 

It took me awhile to read because to be honest, I got bored in the middle.  I am not good about reading biographies.  I love fiction so much more but for some reason do not enjoy non-fiction stories.

However, if you like Dick Van Dyke, I would suggest reading this.  I learned a lot about him.

• He struggled financially.  His family was broke and just getting by in life.  His poor wife must have been so patient. 
• He was actively involved in his church and turned down roles that he was uncomfortable with for moral reasons. He enjoyed doing family films, like Mary Poppins
• He had an alcohol problem and smoked regularly.  He eventually quit both but neither was easy to leave behind.  They were part of his lifestyle and a choice to give up.
• And, worst of all for me to read, he cheated on his wife. This was probably what made it hard for me to read through parts of this book.  It wasn't that he slept with another woman, but he realized he was connecting with another woman better than his wife.  This created problems in his marriage.  He and his first wife divorced. 

Dick is a great story teller.  He was a strong man to get through Hollywood.  Soon after I finished the book, I saw his car caught on fire and he was fine. I think he might be invincible!

I have been going back and re-watching his movies and TV shows now with his stories about them fresh in my mind.  It does make it a lot more fun... plus the Dick Van Dyke show is just a great TV show!

Silver Linings Playbook

Book Title: Silver Linings Playbook

Author: Matthew Quick

I read this book after watching the movie.  I enjoyed both but I realize whatever order I complete a book/movie combo in, I like the first one more (generally. If not, it will always be the book).  So unfortunately, I liked the movie better.  Maybe I was too influenced by the actors in the movie than the characters in the book. 

However, with that stated, I did enjoy the book.  It delves into the head of a person with a mental illness.  The book starts with Pat getting out of a mental institution, as demanded by the court system.  The story follows Pat’s “recovery” and return to “normal” life.  The story sheds some light on how someone with a mental illness thinks (or forgets to think). It goes through his recovery process and how it is hard and not at all linear.

Pat sends a lot of the story pining for his wife.  He doesn't have full memory of how their fall out went- he has blocked it out of his memory.  So he is trying to better himself for his wife (lose weight, take her interest, take others' feelings into account).  He meets a friend's wife's sister, Tiffany in the process. Tiffany has lost her cop husband and is mourning him. Together, they recover.  Most of it isn't necessarily the healthy processes but in the end, they both are able to move forward. 

The story develops around their friendship and I think there are good underlying messages: We all need someone to believe in us, we all need a friend, and family is an essential support system. 

Laura's Birthday and a Taylor Swift Concert

The end of August brought two fun things: Laura's birthday and a Taylor Swift concert!

For Laura's birthday, Zack and I put together a BBQ with some of her friends. It was a wonderful weekend.

 

The next weekend, Laura accompanied me to see Taylor Swift's Red Tour at the Tacoma Dome. We coordinated our clothes to red, white, and black. Casey James and Ed Sheeran opened the show and Taylor put on a great show. We had a great time!

Sounders Game

On August 25^th, I attended my first Seattle Sounders FC game.  It was a blast.  Zack came with me and we cheered on the Sounders against the Portland Timbers (along with 67,000 people!).  It was Clint Dempsey’s first home game.  Sounders took the victory.

Here are some of the pictures:

 

 

 

  

I have a few more games (one tonight) in my future before the season is over!  I am excited!

US Men's National Game

On June 11, 2013 (also known as Zack and Laura's anniversary), I was lucky enough to join my brother, sister in law, and some of their friends at the World Cup Qualifying Match at Century Link Field.  It was a blast.  US Men came away with a victory!

Here are some of the pictures (not of the actual game turned out):

 

 

 

 

Bumbershoot- Fun.

I fulfilled another part of (one of) my 30 before 30.  I went to Bumbershoot on Sunday at Seattle Center.  I picked up my courage and went to this festival alone to see the band fun.  And let me tell you, it was worth it!  I had a blast and they put on a great show.  I also got to enjoy Tegan and Sara beforehand.  I don’t know them very well but they did a great job.  

I would have to say fun. put on one of the best shows I have ever been to (and I have been to quite a few concerts!).  I knew a few songs from both CDs and they luckily played just those songs.  I have fallen in love with “Carry On” and “Some Night” from their recent album.  After their performance, I have added a few more favorites.  They are all very good performers and musicians.  They are so energetic and clever.  Nate was extremely grateful for Seattle’s music scene. 

I would highly suggest if you somewhat like their music, go see them.  They are awesome.  Once the music started, it didn’t matter that I was alone.  Everyone was dancing and singing (yelling) together.  Once of those moments where you feel you are right where you needed to be!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five Year Class Reunion

In May, I went back to college for a weekend.  It was my 5 year college reunion.  It was a wonderful weekend and I am so glad I got to go.  

I took a red eye from Seattle to Chicago.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t really sleep.  Partly excited and partly just uncomfortable flying positions.  Then, I got to Chicago to find out my flight was cancelled due to “weather” (which was beautiful minus a summer storm on Saturday). So I grabbed the first bus ride to South Bend.  Got in a couple hours later but got there!

I checked in and found my roommate for the weekend, my friend Megan Gill.  We were very lucky to get a room in our favorite hall, LeMans, and have a full bathroom! However, we were locked out of our room for a bit due to lock changes…however, we were able to get in finally!  And we were able to make it in time to catch a grounds tour of SMC.  Following that was the first event: dinner at the good old dining hall followed by the All Class Party.  It was a great time and we all had a blast.  We followed up by going all out and making it out to a traditional ND/SMC bar, The Backer (The Linebacker).  

The next day was an address by the lovely Carol Ann Mooney, president of SMC*.  This was followed by a picnic where I was finally able to see my lovely friend, Caitlyn and her husband and her wonderful baby boy, Michael.  I had so much fun seeing him.  He was just precious.  Caitlyn and I attempted to visit the Business department but there wasn’t anyone we really wanted to see.  

I then TRIED to go to a bakery my mom grew up with in Downtown South Bend to bring her home some sweet treats, but pulled up less than 10 minutes after they closed.  Failure!  So defeated, I went to the Grotto at ND.  It is my favorite place on ND’s campus.  It is a replica of the Grotto in Lourdes where St. Bernadette had visions of Mother Mary.  It is a quiet place to pray and it is filled with candles.  It is absolutely beautiful.

Following that was a banquet and awards ceremony.  It was long but I truly enjoyed one of the speakers.  Her name is Holly Jacobs and my favorite part of her speech was “Silver linings always exist.  They don’t take away the rain but they provide an umbrella.” This resonated with me. 

Following this, we visited another bar of my college days, Finni’s (which actually hasn’t been called this since like 2004 but no one calls it any other name!).  I took an easy that night.  Caitlyn and I left a little earlier than the crowd.  It was a crazy weekend and by this point, I was could have fallen asleep standing up. 

The next day was a champagne brunch and check out.  Before I left, I went around campus and took some pictures and just tried take it all in.  I had a little over an hour left before I needed to be at the airport.  I was debating what to do when I got a text about a death in a family back in Murrieta.  So I returned to the Grotto and lit a candle for them and then walked a bit at ND.  

Of course I was able to make it to both bookstores and spend plenty of money. 

There is something so special about being a woman who graduated from SMC and there is an understanding among us but no one quite gets it.  It is such a unique place.  I had some of the best and worst days there.  I had some of the best friendships that started there.  I had some professors that changed my life.  Memories that will truly last a life time.  I look forward to the next time I am on campus.  

* Part of the Commencement 2013 speech Carol Ann that explains SMC a little better than I am able to:

“Remember Saint Mary’s is not just a College you attended.  It is far more than that.  Saint Mary’s is our home where a piece of our selves will reside for all eternity. Saint Mary’s is a mother. And, her arms are always open to welcome us home. She longs for your next return.”- Jennifer Mathile Prikkel, class of 95

Top: At the Backer and the All Class Party, Class of 2008!

Bottom: The banquet and Finnie's

 

The picnic: Caitlyn, Baby Michael, and the class of 2008 picture

  

Some of the picture I took of SMC: the LeMans' Chapel, Le Mans, the end of the Ave, the SMC seal in Spec Unica Hall and Haggar Hall

Some of ND: the Grotto and the candles I lit, the Golden Dome and the door at the Basilica